Airlines are under pressure to allow passengers to use the internet several thousand feet in the air, amid concerns that their current email blackouts are damaging the British economy.

Half of UK adults said they would like internet access on aeroplanes, compared to 13pc opposed to the idea, a YouGov poll found. Younger passengers were even more supportive, with 75pc of 18-24 year olds supporting access.

Iain Regan, global head of sales and marketing at Firstsource Solutions, which commissioned the research, said British business travellers wanted to “stay connected to colleagues or customers” and that tourists wanted to be able to download games and music.